The state health department says the Omicron variant is sending more kids to the hospital than the previous COVId variants. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says 199 children have been admitted to hospitals this month and they’ve seen more cases of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a condition where the heart, lungs, and brain can become inflamed…
cut 9 (06) “….marker as well”
Kanter says the highest percentage of pediatric cases are among ages four and younger as they are ineligible for the vaccine.

COVID will not stop Jazz Fest in New Orleans this year as the two-weekend spring music festival has announced they are returning after a two-year hiatus. Jazz Fest producer and director Quint Davis says this year’s top headliners are The Who, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Buffett, Lionel Richie, Willie Nelson, and dozens more. Davis says a number of artists planned their other shows AROUND being at Jazz Fest’s big return…
Cut 5 (11) “…we’re gonna be there.”

According to the 2022 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws, Louisiana ranks 9th in the nation. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Radar indicates we are still seeing some freezing rain falling in the Houma, Thibodaux, Morgan City area. Governor John Bel Edwards says slick spots are possible…
cut 15 (10) “….driving”

Radar indicates freezing drizzle is falling in south Louisiana from Morgan City to Hammond. No major accumulations have been reported.

Louisiana is also dealing with its coldest air of the winter as overnight temperatures over the next few days will dip below the freezing mark. Even the Houma-Thibodaux area could see lows in the mid-20s this weekend. The state has reported ten home fire deaths this year and Governor John Bel Edwards doesn’t want to see any more…
Cut 13 (04) “…generators.”
State Fire Marshal’s office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says do not leave candles or space heaters unattended…
cut 24 (11) “…with others”
2022 is only 21 days old and the State Fire Marshal’s office says ten people, including two children, have lost their lives in home fires.

State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the Omicron variant has been much harder on children than the other variants. Kanter says this past week 33 children were admitted to the hospital with COVID and 199 children during January
cut 8 (12) “….be vaccinated”
According to Doctor Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the FDA could authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids under five next month.

After missing two years due to COVID, the New Orleans Jazz Fest is back this spring….
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The latest COVID numbers indicate the state may have reached a peak, but the stats also show the Omicron variant has been the hardest one yet for children…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Wintry precipitation is falling across south Louisiana this morning. So far no reports of any significant accumulation. The next couple of days will be colder than normal. Governor John Bel Edwards asks Louisiana residents to check on the elderly…
cut 14 (07) “…again”
High temperatures will return to the 50s on Sunday.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is back for 2022; at the Fairgrounds and on its traditional dates, the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May. Jazz Fest director and producer Quint Davis says this year’s roster of performers has something for everyone…:
Cut 4 (10) “…Stevie Knicks, Billy strings, Nora Jones.”
There was no 2020 Jazz Fest due to the pandemic, and a planned FALL Jazz Fest for 2021 fell apart amid the Delta surge.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Shreveport yesterday for the announcement of American Electric Power’s investment of $100-million to develop a transmission control center in the city. Edwards says the plant will create 20 direct jobs with an average annual salary of $115 thousand…:
CUT 26 (11) “…northwest region.”
Edwards says AEP has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The state set a record for highway traffic fatality deaths with 997 in 2021. That’s according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation. There were 828 deaths in 2020. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s a sign we need to be more cautious while driving…
cut 5 (07) “….much more seriously”
Wilson says three things can greatly reduce highway deaths: buckling up, do not drink and drive, and remaining undistracted while behind the wheel.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for tonight through Friday morning for much of southeast Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says any accumulation is expected to be light, but even a glaze of ice on bridges could result in hazardous travel…
cut 8 (08) “….careful out there”
Keim says all of Louisiana should prepare for a cold few days coming up.

Two Democrats have begun their campaign against republican US Senator John Kennedy and Governor Edwards gives his impressions of the candidates.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn has a text from State Treasurer John Schroeder to one of his supporters saying that he will run for governor in 2023. But Schroeder tells Louisiana Radio Network he has yet to make a final decision, but he is considering a run for the governor’s mansion.

2021 was a record-setting year for Louisiana in a bad way. Kevin Gallagher reports on the record number of traffic deaths last year…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Meanwhile, Governor John Bel Edwards’s office announces two-point-six billion dollars in Army Corps of Engineers Funding for Louisiana projects. Edwards says the supplemental disaster relief bill includes over two billion dollars in funding for coastal and other flood protection projects. Millions will also be spent on reinforcing levees.

US Senate candidate and Baton Rouge Democrat Gary Chambers made national headlines this week for his internet campaign ad that shows him smoking marijuana as he lobbies for legalization and decriminalization of pot. During his Ask the Governor show, John Bel Edwards says he’s not a fan of the ad…
cut 11 (09) “….reward him for”
Edwards says he’s attracted to Luke Mixon’s candidacy, he’s the other announced Democratic challenger to Republican Senator John Kennedy.

Many people have questions about COVID vaccines and their effect on fertility. Shreveport OB/GYN Dr. Leonard Weather, Jr. says in men it’s COVID that’s been shown to reduce sperm count, not the vaccine.
Cut 13 (11) “…get vaccinated.”
Weather recommends that everyone who is medically eligible be vaccinated and boosted to avoid serious complications for the COVID.

State transportation officials say 2021 set a new record-high for highway fatalities. Nearly a thousand people died on state roadways last year; topping the previous record of 993, set in 2007. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the 2021 total of 997 fatalities is up 20-percent over last year
Cut 4 (09) “…is just unacceptable.”
Wilson blames the rise in traffic fatalities to an increase in distracted driving.

A cold and windy day is in store for Louisiana today as a result of a powerful cold front that’s still making its way through southeast Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says portions of southeast Louisiana are under a winter weather advisory from six PM tonight to noon on Friday…
cut 7 (09) “….wintery precipitation”
Keim says the freezing rain will not be significant, as we could see just a light glaze, generally a trace to a few hundredths of an inch.

During his Ask the Governor Show, John Bel Edwards said U-S Senate candidate Gary Chambers campaign ad shows him smoking marijuana is not something people should reward him for. Meanwhile, Edwards spoke highly of the other Democratic challenger to John Kennedy. The governor nearly gave an official endorsement to Luke Mixon…
cut 12 (08) “….a little later”
The primary will be held on November 8th and the general election on December 10th.

Much of the COVID vaccine hesitancy involves adults who are looking to have children. But Shreveport OBGYN Doctor Leonard Weather Junior says it’s extremely important for pregnant women to be vaccinated and boosted and even women who are trying to get pregnant.
Cut 14 (12) “…premature deliveries.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on all Louisianans to help beautify the state. Tuesday the Governor announced the creation of his Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification but says it will take all of us to make a difference…
Cut 4 (05) “…to play.”
The 26 member Task Force will give recommendations to the governor by July first on how to have a cleaner state.

Yesterday was the first-day state lawmakers could file bills for a three-month-long legislative session that will begin in March. One of the first bills filed was by Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis that would set limits on homeowners associations’ authority. Hollis says he doesn’t think any HOA regulations should get in the way of property owners protecting what they own…
cut 8 (11) “…are constitutional rights”

Today will be pleasant, but a strong cold front is on its way, which will drop our temperatures significantly. Much of the state is under a slight risk for severe weather today and then Thursday night into Friday morning, State Climatologist Barry Keim says a wintry mix is possible for the Bayou State…
cut 12 (10) “…through Alexandria”

Americans can now have four at-home COVID tests shipped to their household for free by providing their name and shipping address at COVIDtests-dot-gov. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says you should only use a home test if you have symptoms and advises if you test negative to retest again in a few days because the rapid test has a high false-negative rate.
Cut 14 (07) “…on these tests.”
The website is COVID-tests-dot-gov.